Switch mechanism



Oct. 28. 1924. 1,513,626

W. T. PRINGLE SWITCH MECHANI SM Filed April l5 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 28 ,924. 1,513,626

W. T. PRINGLE SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Abril 15 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z. l' gfi.

Oct. 28, )924.

W. T. PRINGLE SWITCH MECHANISM 1920 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed ADril l5 Patented Get. 28, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM T. PRINGLE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR- TO V. V. FITTINGS COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A. CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application filed April 15, 1920.

T0 (ZZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, TVILLIAM T. PRINGLE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple, substantial and reliable device for mechanically actuating a plurality of switches from a single operating member;t-he invention contemplating a combination of parts whereby when the switches are open, a movement of such member in one direction from a neutral position will close one switch and movement in the opposite direction will close the ot-herswitch.

It is furtherdesired to provide novel means for connecting a single operating member to a plurality of switches whereby these may be independently operated'by a. movement of said member between a neutral posit-ion and either of its extreme positions.

I also desire to provide a novel form of switch controlling means, including an operating member and an element actuated thereby, so arranged that movement of said member from one extreme to a mid position, actuatcs one switch, and the continued motion in the same direction to the other extreme position opera-tesa second switch.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a novel form of double throw switch, preferably though not necessarily including two single throw switch units, actuated by a single operating member so arranged that one of said units may be moved from a closedto an open position by a movement of said member inone direction and thereafter the continued movement of said member will close the second switch unit without further affecting the first switch unit I and vice versa; the arrangement including quick malceand-break meansfor the switches designed to operate independently of the actuating member.

The invention also contemplates a novel form of multiple or double throw :switch particularly designed for use as a motor starting device. which shall include means for insuringthat the switch connect-ions shall be operated in a definite sequence.

These objects and other advantageous ends I attain-as hereinafter set forth, refer- Serial No. 374,056.

ence being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan of the mechanism constituting my invention, the container cover being removed;

Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections respectively taken on the lines 2-2 and 33, Fig. 1 Figs. 4:, 5 and 6 are side elevations, partly in section, illustrating the mechanism for insuring the operation of the apparatus in a predetermined manner.

In the above drawings, 1 represents an enclosing metal box or casing divided into two compartments 3 and t by a transverse partition 2 which ha hinged to it a door 5 designed to normally close the fuse compartment 4. The switch compartment 3 is normally closed by a second door 6 hinged to its upper side.

Within the compartment 3 are mounted two switches, in the presentcase of the triple pole type, of which the upper includes an insulating base 10 and three pairs of switch clips 11 and 12, to the first of each of which is pivotally connected a blade 13. These three blades are connected so that they necessarily move in unison, by elongated blocks let of insulating material such as vulcanized fibre, which are free to turn on longitudinal axes relatively to said blades. The second switch is similar to that just described and includes an insulating base 15 having fixed to it three pairs of switch clips 16 and 1'7 to each of the former of which is pivoted a blade 18. These three blades are likewise connected by insulating blocks or bars 19, which like the blocks 14 are free to rotate relatively to their blades, on longitudinally extending axes; there being in each case pivot pins fixed to the blades andjournalled in the ends of the blocks.

.Vithin the fuse compartment at is mount e'dan insulating base 20 carrying three pairs of fuse clips 2122, respectively in line with the pairs of switch clips 16717 and ll-12. and in this form of my invention the switch clips 11 and 16 of each set are electrically connected bya conductor in the form of a bar 23. Each of the switch clips 17 is likewise electrically connected to the adjacent fuse clip 21 by a conducting bar 24 which passes through or under the partition 2. In addition, each of the switch clips 12 is connected by a conductor with the fuse clip 22, to which is also connected the terminal 26 of one of the conductors leading tothe circuit to be supplied with current. Each of the bars 23 and therefore the blade-carrying switch clips 11 and 16 associated therewith, has connected to it a conductor 26" leading from a source of current supply, so that when the blades 13 are in their closed positions engaging the clips 12, current is free to flow directly from the line conductors 26 to the circuit to be supplied, independently of the fuses (not shown) which are mounted in the fuse clips 21--22 respectively. When the blades 13 are open and the blades 18 engage their coacting clips 17 current from, the supply conductors 26 necessarily passes through the bars 24 and the fuses in the clips 21-22, to the terminals 26 of the circuit to be supplied.

For actuating the above described switches, I journal in the sides of the casing 1 between the insulating bases 10 and 15, two transversely ext-ending shafts 27 and 28, on the first of which I fix two quadrants 29, fixing also to the shaft 28 in the same relative positions, two other quadrants 30. Each of the quadrants 29 has pivotally connected to one of its corners or outer angles, a link 31 slotted for slidable engagement with a pin 32 projecting inwardly from the adjacent side of the casing and cooperating with it to form a toggle acted on by a spring 33 confined between a colla-r fixed to the link 31 and a second collar 35 abutting the pin 32. The movement of this toggle is limited in one direction. by the pin 32' and in the other direction by a. projecting lug 36'which strikes the $210k of the casing 1. The quadrants 29 have rigidly fixed to or intergrally connected with them radial arms 37 connected by a transverse rod 38 which, through eye bolts 39, are operatively connected to the insulating blocks or bars 14, so that rotation of the shaft 27 with its quadrants 29 is capable of causing movement of the blades 13 into and out of electrical engagement with the clips 12 respectively. Moreover, under the action of the springs 33.0n the toggles 31-29, the switch blades 13 with their associated parts tend to move into and remain in positions in which they are fully disengaged from the clips 12. Each of the lugs 36 is so proportioned and placed that it.

will strike the back of the casing before the pivot between its quadrant and its respective links 31 can pass the strai ht line between the pin 32 and the shaft 27 so that it is necessary to hold the blades 13in engagement with their clips 12, as the springs 33 at all times tend to separate these elements.

Each of the second pair of quadrants 30 is likewise pivotally connected to a link 40 slotted to slidably engage a pin 41'projecting inwardly from the adjacent side of the casing and having mounted on it a spring 42 confined between a collar 43 and a second collar abutting the pin 41. Each of these quadrants has likewise a lug 45 designed to limit its movement in one direction by engagement with the back of the casing 1 and inthis case each quadrant has pivotally connected to it a radial arm 46 which is free to move independently of it to a limited extent.

The second or outer ends of these two arms 46 are connected by a cross bar 47, which through eye-bolts 48 is operatively connected to the blocks 19 joining the switch blades 18. The two toggles 3040 under the action of the springs 42, thus tend to move the switch blades 18 to and maintain them in positions in which they either are fully engaged with the switch clips 17 or are in positions as far as possible from the same.

In accordance with my invent-ion one of the quadrants as 30, has projecting from it a pin 49 movable within a slot 50 formed in an elongated locking bar 51 slidable lon gitudinally of the casing 1, and in the present instance pivotally connected to one end of a link 52 whose opposite end is povoted at 53 to the side of the casing. One end of this bar is also pivotally connected to an arm fixed to a short shaft ournalled in the adjacent side of the casing and havin g fixed to its outer end an operating member in the form of a handle 56. The opposite end of the locking bar 51 projects through the partition 2 into the fuse compartment 4, and is formed with a vertically extending slot 57 designed for the reception of a bolt 53, which is vertically movable in a guideway 59 on the side of the casing. Through a link 60 this bolt is connected tothe cover of the fuse compartment, and the arrangement of parts is such that any material movement of said cover or door from its closed position will cause one end of said bolt to enter the slot 57 so as to effectually hold. the locking bar 51 from longitudinal movement.

liloreover the width of the slot 57 is substantially equal to that of the bolt 58, so that any material longitudinal displacement of the locking bar 51 from a position in which said slot is in line with said bolt 58,v

lVhen said operatinghandle' and switch blades occupy any other positions, regardless of whether the bladesare inengage ment with the clips 12 or 17, the locking bar 51 is so positioned that the bolt 58 cannot enter the slot 57 and the door 5 cannot" be opened. 1

lVith the above described arrangement of parts, movement ofthe' operating handle 56 in a'counter clockwise'direc-tion moves the'lockingbar 51'upwa-rdly, and in view of the'slot in the latter, does not affect the quadrant 30. Thearm 54 however, in

this embodiment of my invention, lies" in the plane of one of the quadrants 29', so that the latte'r'is also forced to turn with the shaft 27 in a counter clockwise direction, and aga-inst'theaction otthe springsf thereby through thearms Sland eye bolts 39, forcing the switch blades toward and into engagement with the switch clips 12 where they may beheld 'at will.

It the terminalsof an electric motor be" connected to the conductors 26, current is now delivered to them from the supply lines 26 through the bars 23, 'swit'ch blades 13 and conductors 25," independently of the fuses, which are mounted in the clips 21" 22, and the operatinghandle is held to re--' tainthe parts in the noted positionsuntil the motor has been brought-up to speed. When this conditionhas been attained, the

pressure on the handle-56 is released andit is'moved in a clockwise direction, thus permitting the blades 13 underthe action neously complete their movement and bringthe switch blades 18 into engagement with the clips 17.

Current is nowfree' to flow from the supply conductors 2b through the bars Qtl-and blades 18 tothe clipsl'T and thence through the conductors 24; and fuses in the clips 21+ 22 to the conductors associated with'theterininals 26, Obviously when eitherof'the sets of switch blades 18 or 18 is in its'clos'ed position, theloclring bar 51 is in such posi- LlOlI that its slot 5'? is not in'line with the locking bolt 58 and thereforethe cover 5 of the fuse chamber cannot be opened. Danger of injury from accidental contact with the fuses or fuse terminals is thus prevented as long as these are alive or supplied with current, and it is not until the operating-handle 5G is moved into its neutral position'andboth sets of switch blades are fully disengaged from their respective clips 18 and '17, that said locking bar is so positioned'as to allow entrance of the bolt 58 into its slot 57 and a consequent opening of the door or cover 5.

lVhen'the operating handle 56 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 3 in which the blades 18 engage the clips 17, the wall of the slot 50 so engages the pin 49 as to swing the two quadrants 30 in a counterclockwise direction until the toggles of which they form part pass their neutral positions. Thereupon said toggles, under the action oi the springs 42, automatically DIOVB'lLO their extreme bowed positions, and carry with them the switch bladeslS, which are thus disengaged from their clips 17 in such manner as to avoid the formation of injurious arcs.

In some cases, as when my invention is utilized for controlling a motor starting switch, it may be advisable to insure that the elements of said switch shall be operated in a definite manner or succession. For ex ample, in order to avoid blowing of the fuses in the compartment 4 of the switching ap paratusshown in Fig. 1, it is essential that the handle 56 be moved upwardly to close the upper switch and supply current to the motor independently of said fuses, before said handle-is moved downwardly to cause the current to flow to the motor through the lower switch and the fuses.

Forinsuring this desired sequence of operations, I may connect mechanism such as that shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, to the tw'o quadrants 29 and 30 on one sideof the casing. This mechanism or device consists of two pivoted arms 83 and 8 1-, one connected by a pivot pin 85 to the side of the casing 1 and extending substantially horizontally adjacent the two quadrants, and the other similarly connected to the casing side by a second pivot 86 so as to extend upwardly adjacent one or' the quadrants. These two arms have coacting abutments or shoulders 87 and 88 respectively, and the arm 83 is drawn downwardly toward the shoulder 88 of the other arm by a spring 89, while said latter'arm '84: is drawn toward the first arm by a secondspring 90; the arrangement being such that it the arm 83 is sufficiently raised against the action of the spring 89, the spring 90 will draw the second arm to such position that its abutment 88 will lie under the abutment '87 and thereafter retain the arm 83 in such raised position. The quadrant 30 has on one side a projection 91 formed and positioned to engage and raise the arm 83 as said quadrant is turned in a clockwise direction by such operation of the operating handle as would cause closure of Mill its associated switch blades, and the second quadrant 29 has projecting from it toward the side of the casing two pins or abutments 92 and 93, of which the first is placed to strike against an abutment 94 on the arm 83 if this latter occupies its lowest position in engagement with the lug 88 on the arm 84. hen said arm 83 occupies such a position it is obvious that a counter clockwise move- 7 7 the lug or abutment 88 to move from under the abutment 87 of the arm 83, thereby permitting the latter under the action of its spring 89 to move from its raised to its lower position.

With this arrangement of parts therefore,

if it be assumed that the two quadrants 29 and 30 are in their neutral positions with their associated sets of switch blades open, movement of the operating handle from its neutral position is possible in but one direction, since its movement in the opposite direction is blocked because the quadrant 29 and hence the shaft 27 (which as above described is connected to said handle) cannot be moved from the neutral position because the pin 92 at once comes into engagement with the abutment 94 on the arm 83 which occupies the position shown in Fig. 4;.

Obviously however, movement of the oper-. ating handle with the quadrant 30 in a clockwise direction is possible, so that the switch blades associated with said quadrant and they alone of the switch blades, may be closed. However as the quadrant 30 is moved to effect this closure of the switch blades, its projection 91 strikes the arm 88 and swings it up on its pivot 85 until when it reaches the position shown in Figure 5, the spring 90 draws the abutment 88 of the arm 84. under its abutment 87, thereby retaining it in this position in which its second abutment 9&- is out of the path of movement of the pin 92 on the quadrant 29. When therefore after such clockwise movement of the operating handle, this is returned to its neutral position, its movement may be continued in a counter clockwise direction and with it the quadrant 29 and its associated switch blades may also be moved to cause closure of the latter.

As the quadrant 29 approaches its extreme position during the act of causing closure of its associated switch blades, its second pin 93 strikes the abutment 88 and so moves the fuse-short-circuiting switch, before the sec- 0nd switch can be closed to cause current to be delivered to the motor through the fuses. I thus obviate the possibility of the switches being operated in such manner as would cause the motor to be started with the fuses in circuit with the resulting blowing of the fuses.

I claim 1. The combination of two switches; a single device for actuating either switch to the exclusion of the other; and means for insuring actuation of the switches in a predetermined sequence including two movable arms of which one has an abutment. normally preventing the movable member of one of the switches passing from its open to its closed position, and a member connected to the movable member of the, other switch for moving said arm with the abutment out of its operative position into a position in which it is held from movement by the second movable arm when said latter I switch member is moved to a closed position.

2. The combination of two switches; a single device for actuating either switch to the exclusion of the other; and means for insuring actuation of the switches in a predetermined sequence including two pivotally mounted arms of which one has an abutment normally'preventing the movable member of one of the switches passing from its open to its closed position, a member connected to the movable member of the other switch for moving said arm with its abutment out of its operative position into a position to be held by said second arm when said latter element is moved to a closed position; and means for restoring the first arm to its operative position when the movable element of the first switch has been closed.

3. The combination of two electric switches each having a movable element; with a device for requiring operation of said elements in a definite sequence consisting of two coacting pivoted members of which one has an abutment normally preventing movement of one of said switch elements into a closed position, means on the other movable switch element positioned to move the abutment to an inoperative position when said second switch element is moved to a closed position, and means on the first movable sisting of two interlocking members of which one includes an abutment normally preventing operation of one of the switches; means actuated when the other switch is closed for moving the member with the abutment to an inoperative position; and means actuated when the first switch is closed for operating the second member to permit return of the first member with the abutment to its op- 20 erative position.

WILLIAM T. PRINGLE. 

